Durham, N.C. — The Durham Police Department on Tuesday released its 2012 annual crime report and called on communities to help prevent and solve crimes.

The crime report provides perspective for 2013 crime statistics provided by police, which show homicides are up slightly over last year, while overall violent crime is down slightly. The numbers also reveal an alarming trend – in each of the 13 homicide cases reported so far in 2013, both the victims and suspects were black males.

All of the suspects are between 18 and 21 years old, while all the victims were 18 to 41. In each case, police said, the suspect knew the victim.

The Gang Reduction Strategy Committee and Violent Crime Reduction Roundtable, composed of city and county leaders, clergy and educators, are two initiatives aimed at addressing the violence.

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Kevin Holmes

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Bridget Whelan

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JustOneGodLessThanUJul 8, 2013

@sportsnut61, every time my knees hurts, it rains. Therefore, my knee must make it rain.

Correlation does not equal causation.

Poverty...is the common factor among criminals. This controls everything that makes a human who they are: education, environment, upbringing...everything.

My GOLO Screen NameJul 5, 2013

"Folks, this is the sort of ignorance and racial hatred that society can do without and that is alleviated through Critical Thinking and education in general."

Very good point but I think what people are saying is its just very consistent throughout the race. African Americans only make up 12.6% of the US population but account for so much of the crime (2010 census). My issue is modern day african americans and special interest groups do more accusing and finger pointing rather than recognizing issues and trying to actually help themselves. This article obviously reflects on a negative but factual issue that should be addressed. ..it's like this everywhere you go. With that being said, one should still recognize that you do not pass judgement based on color but on the content of character.

JustOneGodLessThanUJul 5, 2013

eaglesitsatopmountain, “Young Black Males can't do the "RIGHT THING" - because they've never been taught what is RIGHT and what is WRONG. So sad.”

Why would you say such a thing when you know it's not true? All young black males...never? The fact that you think that is what’s really sad.

Folks, this is the sort of ignorance and racial hatred that society can do without and that is alleviated through Critical Thinking and education in general.

Jack FlashJul 3, 2013

"I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by this, but it's a topic that should be in the WRAL headlines, not buried as it is. I know it doesn't fit the typical liberal narrative, but it IS a fact that needs discussion."

You're absolutely spot-on about this needing to be in the headlines instead of being buried. That's a pretty good metaphor for how much attention most people give to this issue.

I disagree about this being something liberals don't like to talk about, though. Liberals object to glib, dismissive remarks from people who show no concern, point fingers, or insinuate that this is inherent to an ethnicity. It's *how* people talk about it that is the problem, not talking about it at all.

Jack FlashJul 3, 2013

"And people wonder why there is racial profiling..."

No they don't. No one wonders. Everyone knows why there is racial profiling. Many of us just don't think that's an excuse for it.

I understand how, if reading WRAL and spewing hate on their message boards is all you ever do, you might end up w/ a hateful, narrow-minded view of people, too. It doesn't make that acceptable, either.

Jack FlashJul 3, 2013

These things are a lot more complicated than anything that can be covered in 1000 characters or less.

Some of you act as if the Rev Barbour powers-down and gets stuck on a shelf in a tool shed for 164 hours per week, pulled out for use only on Monday afternoons. He's active in the community throughout the week, and most of you have never made the first effort to see what he or other Black leaders like Mayor Bell are doing. You assume they're doing nothing and rip into them here, and that's it.

JustOneGodLessThanUJul 3, 2013

Why do they report on skin color and not the REAL cause of crime...poverty?

Add in the fact the poor people aren't as educated, can't afford or get access to cheap & effective birth control, aren't home as much with kids because they're working two $7/hr jobs, no healthcare...and you've got a recipe for continued crime for generations.

question_whyJul 3, 2013

Although not surprised about the murder rate in Durham, it is a little surprising that none of the suspects have been over 21yo. Don't you have be 21 to buy a gun? If so, guess tougher guns laws wouldn't make a difference.

guitarslidemanJul 3, 2013

and teresabee....you are in fact in here complaining........the typical lib. no idead of real life even yours......The Liberal Mind is the first in-depth examination of the major political madness of our time: The radical left's efforts to regulate the people from cradle to grave. To rescue us from our troubled lives, the liberal agenda recommends denial of personal responsibility, encourages self-pity and other-pity, fosters government dependency, promotes sexual indulgence, rationalizes violence, excuses financial obligation, justifies theft, ignores rudeness, prescribes complaining and blaming, denigrates marriage and the family, legalizes all abortion, defies religious and social tradition, declares inequality unjust, and rebels against the duties of citizenship. Through multiple entitlements to unearned goods, services and social status, the liberal politician promises to ensure everyone's material welfare, provide for everyone's healthcare, protect everyone's self-esteem, corr